Questions on wearing Stewart tartans

[macwilkin]

Steady gents...back on the Stewart tartan now, if you please.

Todd

[macwilkin]

I suppose, then that the real, key question might be who or what determines whether any given tartan is universal or not... Really, what makes a tartan universal?

Part of the problem is the word "universal"; As we all know, the Government Sett (Black Watch) is a "universal" tartan, but the term did not have the same meaning in the late 19th century.

The Black Watch was a "universal" tartan in the fact that it was at one time issued to all Lowland regiments under The Sec. of State for War. The Hon. H.C.E. Childers. Many of the Lowland regiments had not adopted Highland kit until this time. The Lowland Jocks referred to the tartan as the "Childers" or "MacChilders" tartan, and soon began to adopt other tartans -- Hunting Stewart (Royal Scots), Douglas (Cameronians/Scottish Rifles), Leslie (K.O.S.B.), Erskine (Royal Scots Fusiliers), etc.

-- http://www.scottishmilitaryarticles....le_tartans.htm

Regards,

Todd

[Phil]

Apologies for the deviation. Why would anyone wish to wear the Stuart tartan anyway when there are so many much nicer tartans about?

[macwilkin]

Apologies for the deviation. Why would anyone wish to wear the Stuart tartan anyway when there are so many much nicer tartans about?

No worries, Phil.

T.

[Riverkilt]

Well, one look in most any company's clothing catalog will likely find Royal Stewart used in multiple garments, including pajamas and bathrobes - and often as a lining. The tartan has pretty much been beat up and brutalized.

Ron

[thescot]

I'm no expert either (we might need Mac to weigh in here), so I may not be using all the correct terms below. But I never let my ignorance keep me from talking anyway.

I think the only legally restricted tartans are the copyrighted ones, or whatever you call it when you commission a custom designed tartan. Some examples are corporate tartans and private individuals who register the tartan and do not release it for public use.

For example, when my acquaintance, Robert Hall, designed the Leatherneck tartan, he did not reserve or restrict its use, and so anyone can weave or wear it without paying a royalty

I think the above pretty well outlines the actual restrictions on tartan. There are many traditions and such which are not legally binding but are often observed.

But what do I know?

[flairball]

Sushi-

If you're worried about the tartan police don't be. They don't exist. The lines about universal tartans, clan tartans, and the "right " to wear a tartan are fuzzy. With little exception anyone may wear any tartan. There is no law anywhere preventing it. If your eye has caught a tartan which is restricted you'll not find a kilt maker who can get the tartan to make it.

Many people like to wear a tartan to which they've attached some significance; clan, county, occupation, state, military branch,etc. If you feel this would make you more comfortable in a kilt then by all means decide what significance works for you. However, there isn't anything wrong with approaching the tartan as fashion either. Being in Japan I'm sure you're seeing every spectum of the fashion scale. Complete fashion disasters included.

It sounds to me like you'd like to have a connection to your tartan, and I'm sure you'll be able to find a tartan with some significance. If you feel a connection to the Stewart go for it, but keep the entire Stewart range in mind. As the lines are fuzzy you can have the best of both worlds by wearing a Stewart tartan to which you feel connected, and like at the same time. The Black Stewart being an example.

As for writing to a clan chief; not needed. They haven't the authority to tell you no in the first place, and it'd be uncomfortable if you'd had you're heart set on a tartan, and the reply was " we'd rather you didn't.". The alternative, however is to find a clan association to which ever tartan you choose, and get from them a list of highland events they'll be at. Then take the time to meet them and let them know how much you like their tartan. Connection or not, they'll appreciate the gesture.

Good luck.

[Monkey@Arms]

Flairball,

Well said. It all comes down to what the wearer feels comfortable with. Remember, tartan kilts were invented before clan tartans were.

Best regards,

Jake

[McClef]

I see they don't reckon Charley boy wants to call himself Charles III. Maybe he's afraid of going the way of his namesake!

Charles is a kilt wearer but I don't see him wearing Stewart tartans that often and the amount of Stewart blood in the Windsors is now running rather thin.

Choice of name at accession is a personal choice of the monarch and it needn't be their first name or we would have had Queen Alexandrina instead of Victoria and two king Alberts instead of Edward VII and George VI.

The various cited authorities regarding Royal Stewart all seem to say different things which is bound to lead to confusion. Look at a packet of shortbread and chances are they will all sport the Royal Stewart!

[CDNSushi]

Sushi-

If you're worried about the tartan police don't be. They don't exist. The lines about universal tartans, clan tartans, and the "right " to wear a tartan are fuzzy. With little exception anyone may wear any tartan. There is no law anywhere preventing it.

Yes, that is something I've been able to glean from many of the threads on this forum. I suppose that I should have clarified in my original post that I wasn't really worried about anything -- but rather, more curious about some of the technicalities, customs, conventions and traditions surrounding the whole affair. My question was meant to be more academic than practical just because I tend to be a very inquisitive person...

Being in Japan I'm sure you're seeing every spectum of the fashion scale. Complete fashion disasters included.

Enough said.

It sounds to me like you'd like to have a connection to your tartan, and I'm sure you'll be able to find a tartan with some significance. If you feel a connection to the Stewart go for it, but keep the entire Stewart range in mind. As the lines are fuzzy you can have the best of both worlds by wearing a Stewart tartan to which you feel connected, and like at the same time. The Black Stewart being an example.

Already ordered a Hunting Stewart... Anxiously waiting.

As for writing to a clan chief; not needed. They haven't the authority to tell you no in the first place, and it'd be uncomfortable if you'd had you're heart set on a tartan, and the reply was " we'd rather you didn't.". The alternative, however is to find a clan association to which ever tartan you choose, and get from them a list of highland events they'll be at. Then take the time to meet them and let them know how much you like their tartan. Connection or not, they'll appreciate the gesture.

Indeed. As for this, I was just curious, merely for the sake of argument, IF someone wanted to go this route, what would he do in the case of armigerous clans that have no legally recognized clan chief... Again, this is only my curiosity speaking here.